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Focus Group: Focus Central Group: Central AsiaAsia Russia and the South Chechnya and other Hotspots Turkey Afghanistan Russia and the South by Jaclyn Katzman Focus Group Central Asia Where is RUSSIA?????? HISTORY!!!!! Russia was determined to conquer all of the Tran Caucuses and the south. The czars were also doing the same in 1800’s. Chechnya tries to brake away from Russia, after the fall of U.S.S.R. 1990-1994 As her aunt faints after seeing her wounds, four-year-old Liana lies on a hospital bed in southern Russia. Liana's mother, mother, brother and aunt were killed when a Russian shell fell on their house in the Chechen town of Urus-Marta Russian and Chechnya formed separate; Russia does not support this happening. Russia Declares war. Chechnya decisively wins battle and Russia withdraws. The Current WAR: 1999_Present___ “Chechen” terrorism attacks; 4 apartments bombed; 300 killed in Russia. New President Putin prosecuting War aggressively, and Russia Committed to conquer Chechen A Russian soldier looks at a destroyed rebels. building in the Staropromyslovsky district of Most Russians Consider the Chechen capital Grozny. Chechens to be bandits, criminals. Religion Legislation favors Eastern Orthodox church. Discrimination between E. Orthodox(71.8%), Christians (1.8%) and Muslims (5.5%) because of Chechnya and other problems. Chechnya and other hotspots By Lauren Gruber Chechen succession from Russia The conflict between the two countries is a long one, going back to the 1800’s and Czars. USSR finally controlled Chechnya by the 50’s. Fall of USSR in 1991 led to Chechen cries for independence Militant Islam becomes anti Russian force The 1994-96 war from the Chechen point of view Militant Muslims begin to fight for independence in 1994 Russia attacks Chechnya to keep it Chechnya beat Russia decisively Chechnya looses 12% of its population Chechnya de facto independent The Current war from the Chechen point of view Militant Muslims try to war in Dagestan Terrorist bombings, no proof Chechnya involved Russia is back to get revenge and get Chechnya back under control Neither Russia or Chechnya can afford to loose the war The current war continued Russia changes tactics The new Russian president, Putin, is willing to put everything into the war, his reputation at stake Civilians are the wars main victims, refugees Chechnya very badly damaged Fighting intensifies in Grozny - CBC.CA (Jan 20, 2000) Chechens inflicted "a devastating blow for the Russian army" BBC (Dec 6, 1999) The current war results… Gruesome Monument: The rubble of downtown Grozny, Sunday February 6, 2000. Russia may not spend the estimated $1 billion required to rebuild the city, instead letting it stand in ruins as a warning against separatism. Afghan Scenario Even if Russians take Grozny, Chechnya could fight on Retreat to mountains for guerrilla war Chechens could fight Russians forever, as they have for 200 years Russians take combat dead indefinitely. Turkey By Michelle Jackson Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Turkey’s foundercompletely modernized. Created new political system and abolished the Caliphate. Gave equal rights to women and changed alphabet and attire. Reacting against traditional values in favor of Western styles. Here, Ataturk teaches the new alphabet. The Kurd Question: Abdullah Ocalan Waged 15 yr. Guerilla against Turkish government. 30,000 people died. Kurdish rebel leader arrested and sentenced to death for treason. Execution of Ocalan would forbid Turkish membership in European Union. Ocalan gets arrested. Challenge: Secular and Religious Turkey faces challenge in remaining secular. Countries around are more religious and disapprove of Western state. Islamic fundamentalists in Turkey challenge and demand a more Islamic state. (Shari’a law.) Militant Kurd sets himself on fire to protest the arrest of Abdullah Ocalan. Challenge: Continued Turkish military nullify elections where Turkey challenged on this. Although a Muslim country, it is much more modern than most Muslim places. Crossroads of Asia and Europe. Greatly influenced by both. Turkish people kicked out of Turkey by Ataturk Afghanistan By Nicholas Reid Durrani Dynasty 17721818. Start of Jihad: Dost Muhammad. Used as a battleground for for wars involving the and not involving the Afghanistan. English tried to take over Afghanistan for many years but were unsuccessful. Afghanistan was continually involved in war. Injured people in the brutal war 1979-1989 Soviets fought for communism, land, and power. The Mujahideens, ‘freedom fighters’, fought as a form of jihad. USA helps Afghanistan, Soviets ousted. Afghanistan left in ruins without a government. The Soviet Invasion Rise of the Taliban After the Soviet Invasion a tribe of Mujahdeen, called “Taliban”, declare themselves government. They quickly take control of most of the country by murdering and threatening. They spread their ideas to become head of most of Afghanistan. Taliban taking over Afghanistan Osama Ben Laden Harsh and strict rules. Not appreciated and liked by other Muslim countries. Cruel laws toward woman. Hate the West because it is “impure”. Encourage Jihad to all dissidents of Islam. Anti-American and Israel THE END!